Sam’s health greatly improved. Her doctors told her that they were very impressed with her progression and said she could go back to school and lead a more normal life. They also reminded her of the importance of exercise and taking her medicines and eating healthy. She was quick to tell them she had been doing her best, but she left out that she hadn’t been exercising. She would need to start going to a gym.
Getting caught up in school was a struggle but she managed to do it with the compassion of her instructors and the help of a few fellow students. Everyone there, for the most part, made her feel welcome and missed on her first day back. She felt as if she had been away from family. She didn’t have a lot of time left and she would officially be a chef. It was a very exciting time for her and Chris and Tonya and her family constantly told her how proud they were of her.
She had gotten serious about going to church and loved being a part of the fellowship there. With school, though, it was hard to go every week because of her studies and taking care of herself. Over time she knew she would be more free and could go more often, but until then she did the best that she could.
Time went by like she had never seen it before. She wondered why when she dreaded something it seemed as if it happened quickly, but if she looked forward to it time dragged. The two months had come and gone and Tonya was moving away from her. Tonya had sold her catering business and the deal was finalized. Her uncle was expecting her within a week, but she wanted to get there to get settled first.
Her uncle’s restaurant was in Fernandina Beach and she was extremely excited about everything except for one thing. Not being able to see her best friend. They stood in front of each other, near tears after Tonya put the last bag in the trunk of her car. Holding hands with quivering lips and eyes that decided they couldn’t stand to be dry, they said their goodbyes and well wishes.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Tonya cried as she hugged Sam.
“I know, me either. It’s what’s right for you though. I want you to be happy and I know you will be very successful down there.”
They held on to each other for a long time before letting go. Chris gave her a hug and said he would miss her, too.
“That’s a long drive, so you be careful and call if you need anything,” he told her. “How long do you think it will take you?”
Wiping her eyes with a tissue she said, “Google said almost fifteen hours, but of course I have to count in ignorant drivers and traffic slowing me down, plus stopping to eat and stuff. So, I’m thinking eighteen to twenty hours. I might stop half way and get a room somewhere though since I am getting a late start.”
“That might be a good idea,” Sam chimed in. “But, please call me if you do and call me when you get where you are going, too.”
Smiling, they hugged one more time before Tonya got in her car.
“Of course, I will. I love you, madly.”
“I love you, more.”
Sam leaned into Chris as she watched her best friend drive away. Her heart was happy for her and breaking at the same time. She stood and watched until she saw Tonya’s car take a right turn out of her sight, the last time for longer than she cared to think about. It was one of the saddest days she’d had in a long time.
It seemed that life could have double standards in so many ways and at times it was hard to accept them and understand why. One of many things she had learned in her twenty-five years of life was she had to keep putting one foot in front of the other. She couldn’t be selfish of the people she loved but had to be supportive if it was the best for them and not her.
She talked to Chris about joining the YMCA to do some regular workouts together and enjoy the pool they had. Thanksgiving and Christmas would be upon them soon and she wanted to get in the habit of taking better care of her body before all the temptations would be sitting in front of her to binge eat. Chris knew that conversation was a farce because she didn’t want to think about Tonya leaving so he went along with her on the decision. He also knew he could use the exercise himself.
That night they relaxed in front of the television and watched a comedy. The last thing she wanted to do was think, but she couldn’t keep from continuously checking her phone. Finally they went to bed and she was able to fall asleep. When she woke up in the middle of the night she saw that Tonya had texted her that she got a room at the Best Western and was safe. She texted back then fell asleep again feeling more at peace.
***
The snow was falling harder than the weatherman said it would, and it looked like there would be at least two feet of the white stuff. Large, soft flakes fell from the cloudy sky. Occasionally the wind would kick up and cause some of the snow to drift into curvy mounds against the cars. Thanksgiving passed without any problems with her heart or breathing, and both Chris and Sam were able to control themselves around food, although it had been a struggle. Neither of their parents were able to make it to Connecticut for the holidays, and with Tonya gone it felt a little lonesome for Sam. Junior made sure he came by quite often and tried to keep them both company.
It was the weekend after Thanksgiving when Chris and Junior bought a rather large Christmas tree and all the decorations for it. With it standing slightly to the left Sam wondered if it would fall over after they finished setting it up.
“I think it will be fine honey,” Chris promised her. “It’s barely leaning at all. I think the tree stand will hold it up without a hitch at all.”
“I hope you’re right,” she looked at him unsure.
“Well, let’s have some faith why don’t we,” Junior chimed in. “Here’s the first strand of lights. Let’s get this beauty decorated and glowing. Where’s the egg nog?”
They all laughed and agreed with him. Sam quickly found a radio station that was playing holiday music and got the egg nog from the kitchen. Chris and Junior proceeded to walk in circles adding the lights to the tree. An hour later with the lights and tinsel and red and green ornaments it was time to turn it on.
“Drum roll please,” Chris said as he held the cord and was getting ready to plug it in.
“You sound like Clark Griswold from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Junior said.
All three of them enjoyed the spirit in the room and Junior made a horrible drumroll making them laugh even harder. The tree lit up and all the lights twinkled as they were supposed to. Chris pulled Sam into his arms and the three of them admired their handiwork.
“The only thing missing is a star or an angel on top,” Sam pointed out.
“I’ll get one sometime this week. I’m not going anywhere else tonight,” Chris said. “It seems to have gotten worse out.”
“Now you need to get some presents. You don’t have to wrap mine if you don’t want to. You can save your money on the wrapping paper,” Junior said.
“Thanks, I’ll remember that when I get your box of coal,” Chris told him with a grin.
They settled down on the couch and drank their egg nog and listened to the music. Bing Crosby sang about a White Christmas as they chatted about family. When Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas came on then the Eagles’ I’ll be Home for Christmas, they got quiet. The songs made Sam miss Tonya more and she wished she could see her.
“I think I’ll give her a call and see what she’s up to,” Sam told them and walked into the bedroom. She didn’t see Chris grinning from ear to ear so she had no idea about her soon to be surprise. She laid back on the bed and dialed the number and listened to it ring on the other end. Unfortunately, it went to voicemail and she had to leave a message. Sam frowned because she wanted to hear Tonya’s voice, but she left one anyhow.
“Hey, girl. I wanted to talk, but I guess you are busy. Call me when you get this, please. I miss and love you.”
Walking back into the room she told them she didn’t get her. Before she had the chance to sit down beside Chris again someone was knocking on the door.
“Who in the world could that be? It’s snowing like crazy outside,” she complained. Again, she didn’t see the grin on Chris’s face or on Junior’s. She opened the door and was shocked to see her best friend standing in front of her with a humongous grin and an armful of gifts.
“Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe it’s you!” Sam cried and tried to hug her as they both laughed and the guys cheered. “Come in! Come in!”
“Let me put the presents down.”
All of them laughed and Chris and Junior watched as the two best friends hugged and cried from the joy of seeing each other. The guys got up and helped by setting the gifts out of the way before they gave her a hug, too.
“When did you get here? Oh, my gosh I can’t believe this!” Sam exclaimed loudly as she couldn’t contain herself.
“Well, I actually got back in town about an hour ago. I was supposed to have landed at the airport hours ago, but there was a layover in Charlotte, North Carolina.”
“Oh, good you flew back this time. At least you didn’t have to take as long driving in this weather. I bet you are tired. Let’s sit down.”
They all sat around the kitchen table and Chris made some coffee. As they waited for it Tonya told them how things had been going in Florida.
“I miss you all very much, but I have to be honest. I love it down there. The weather is beautiful and the people I work with are awesome. I love running the restaurant and it’s exactly what I want to do right now, but I had to come and see you. I have missed you so much.”
“I really missed you too, but I’m happy for you,” Sam told her. “When did you know you were coming? We talked last week and you didn’t say anything about it then.”
Sam caught Tonya glance at Chris and the grin she was trying to hide. Sam looked at her husband with a serious expression.
“Chris, did you know she was coming up?”
Doing his best to look innocent but failing miserably he answered, “I might have known a little bit about it.”
She tried to act mad and lightly smacked him on his arm. Everyone laughed and she got up and kissed him.
“I can’t be mad. This is the best Christmas ever and it’s not even here yet.”
The four of them enjoyed their reunion and Tonya expressed her love for the tree. Sam insisted that Tonya stay in their spare bedroom while she was up visiting and they set the presents under the tree. The rest of the evening passed with laughter and talk about how everyone was doing. Tonya brought up Hell’s Kitchen again, and everyone but Sam thought she should do it.
It was after midnight when they realized how late it was. Junior crashed on the couch and Chris went to their bedroom. Sam took Tonya into the spare room and made sure the bed was ready.
“I still can’t believe you came up to see me. It’s only been a few months and I didn’t think I would see you for a while yet, but I’m thrilled that you are here.”
“So am I, sweetie.”
“Are you sure everything is okay?” Sam asked her before leaving her alone in the room.
Hiding the truth of one big reason for her visit, Tonya nodded and faked a smile for her. “I’m sure.”
“Okay, you sleep well. I’m going to go give Chris a hard time for not telling me,” she joked.
“Don’t be too hard on him.”
They say goodnight and Sam closed the door on her way out. Tonya plopped down on the edge of the bed and allowed her shoulders to finally relax. She dreaded telling anyone why she actually returned home. She hadn’t said a word to anyone. With her hands covering her face and her tears beginning to fall she asked, “How can I tell her, Lord? Please, give me strength.”